Bringing the Word to Life for the Visually Impaired
Opening the Eyes of the Heart: Why Audio Bibles are a Game-Changer
For many of us, picking up a Bible and reading a favourite Psalm is something we take for granted. But for the millions of people living with vision loss, that simple act can be a significant challenge. While Braille Bibles are an incredible resource, they are often massive—spanning dozens of heavy volumes—and can be difficult to transport or store.
At MegaVoice South Africa, we believe that everyone should have “finger-tip access” to the Word of God, regardless of their ability to see or read. That’s why our solar-powered audio Bibles are designed specifically to bridge this gap, turning a physical barrier into an auditory blessing.
Designed with Purpose: Tools for Independence
We don’t just provide speakers; we provide independence. Our devices, like the Envoy series, are built with the visually impaired user in mind:
- Tactile Navigation: Large, raised buttons with different shapes make it easy to navigate between books, chapters, and verses by touch alone.
- Solar Powered: No need to worry about finding plugs or replacing expensive batteries. Simply leave the device in the sun to stay charged.
- Portability: Unlike a multi-volume Braille set, a MegaVoice player fits right in your pocket. It’s the entire Bible, anywhere you go.
More Than Just Technology—It’s Connection
We recently had the privilege of partnering with Innovation for the Blind in Worcester to distribute audio Bibles in languages like Afrikaans, IsiXhosa, and IsiZulu. Seeing the joy on someone’s face when they hear the Scriptures in their “heart language” for the first time without needing someone else to read to them is exactly why we do what we do.
As a blind pastor recently shared with us, “This device hasn’t just given me a player; it has given me back my Bible.”
How You Can Help
The mission to reach the “unreached” includes those in our own communities who struggle with accessibility. You can join us in this journey:
- Sponsor a Device: Join our Audio Bible a Month Club to help us get these life-changing tools into the hands of those who need them most.
- Spread the Word: Share this post with your church or local disability support groups.
- Gift a Loved One: Visit our online shop to purchase a device for a friend or family member struggling with their sight.
Let’s make sure no one is left in the dark when it comes to the Light of the World.
Nearly 43 million people in the world are sightless. And if you include all who are visually impaired, the number grows to over 285 million!¹ The visually impaired can be greatly helped to read the Word of God with Bibles in Braille and also in audio. Audio is the most cost-effective and practical. Braille has for many years been a great solution and is still used by many. In this post we will provide more information on:
– one of the Braille Bibles in Southern Africa in Afrikaans,
– the alternative of using a MegaVoice Envoy in audio
– reference to some people that have, in spite of visual impairment, been a blessing to others
– and how the Ugandan Bible Society addresses the need.
This post is not meant to be the last word on the subject, but I trust that some of the facts will inspire you!
Braille Bible in Afrikaans is 75 years old ²
The Afrikaans Bible in Braille commemorates its 75th anniversary in 2016. It was first published on 21 October 1941, eight years after the first complete Bible in the Afrikaans language was published in 1933.
Afrikaans was only the fourth language worldwide to receive a complete braille Bible. At that stage, only English, German and French had complete Braille Bibles available. Today, 44 of approximately 6 887 languages worldwide have full Braille Bibles available.
The first Afrikaans Braille Bible comprised 75 volumes, and when stacked on top of each other, reached a height of about 2.9 metres and had a combined weight of 63.5 kg. Today, the Afrikaans Braille Bible comprises only 45 volumes.
The production cost of one Bible amounted to R60.92 in 1941, and blind people could purchase the Bible for R0.15. Today, production costs amount to roughly R3 200, but the Bible Society, with the help of donors, enables the blind to receive a Braille Bible free of charge.
The MegaVoice Envoy Audio Bibles as alternative to a Braille Bible
The MegaVoice Envoy is small, lightweight, portable, durable and easy to navigate, all of which makes it an ideal Bible player for the visually impaired community. The current price of an Envoy S audio Bible player with one Bible is R385 (18 November 2016). Compared to the Braille option, the audio player is less than a tenth of the price. For more prices, please enquire at the MegaVoice Office. We have some of the Bibles available online at www.megavoice.co.za/online-orders/
Blind youth worker in Zambia attending African Pastors Conference in Lusaka, 2016
It is always inspiring to meet somebody that has overcome a hurdle and excelled in spite of adversity. This young man has a zeal to reach young people for Christ. His audio Bible is an invaluable tool in his personal ministry.
In 2016, the Bible Society of Uganda took to social media to solicit donations for Braille Bibles, as can be seen below. A donation of US$550 is required to put the 18-volume Braille Bible in the hands of blind people in Uganda.
Notes:
¹ www.museumofthebible.org/blog/pre-braille-bible accessed 18 November 2016
² This section is from the Bible Society of South Africa’s eSower dated 17 November 2016. Online at eSower
